5:08 PM,
Oct. 15, 2012

Sen. Sherrod Brown (right) shakes hands with Republican challenger Josh Mandel after their debate at the City Club in Cleveland.

Written by

Paul E. Kostyu

Testy and combative, Sherrod Brown and Josh Mandel both figuratively slapped each other around Monday at the first of three scheduled debates regarding their run for U.S. Senate at the Cleveland City Club.

The winner of the race come Nov. 6 may determine which party controls the Senate, where Democrats now have a slim majority - 51 to 47. Two independents caucus with Democrats.

At least three times during the debate, Brown, the Democratic incumbent from Avon, invoked the name of U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park, to highlight how he has worked with Republicans on legislation, including ...